The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-01-12

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Papoulias Papaligouras Meeting Briefing over Purgation

Sources: NET

On Thursday, Minister of Justice Anastasis Papaligouras briefed President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias on the course of purgation in the Justice department. As Mr Papaligouras said exiting from the Presidential Mansion, purgation is proceeding and there are many effective results. Jokingly, the Minister visited the President "without the sword" which the President urged him to use for purgation on New Years during the exchange of wishes in the Presidential Mansion. Questioned on the issue of the judges financial audit of declaration of assets, Mr Papaligouras explained that there will not be a different legislative reform, as they are demanding. In the meantime, the investigation over extrajudicial rings is continuing, while Prosecution sources made clear that there will not be concealment in the lawsuits filed by Iakovos Giosakis, which involved Deputy Foreign Minister Giannis Valynakis wife. It is noted that accusations over favourable handlings had been made by the side of the litigant, while PASOK MPs submitted a question to the Prime Minister in relation to the case on Thursday.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

New Deadline for Giosakis

[02] Because Talks Reached Deadlock Iran Referred to Security Council

By Vicky Keleri

In an emergency meeting in Berlin today, British, French and German Foreign Ministers along with EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana decided that talks with Iran over its nuclear programme reached a deadlock. At the same time, they agreed Iran's file should be submitted to the UN's Security Council for possible sanction. In their common announcement, the three countries said it was time to involve the Security Council. They will also ask the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) Board of Directors to hold an emergency meeting to take all necessary measures.

Diplomatic Solution

"Our talks with Iran reached a deadlock," said the German Foreign Minister, while his French counterpart underlined that the 18 January Summit with the Iranians in Vienna has no reason to take place, because of Iran's decision. Despite all, officials and Mr Solana stressed they are prepared to reach a solution through diplomacy. "We will have immediate negotiations with our partners in the international community in the following days and weeks," they stressed.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] Lament in Saudi Arabia Dozens of Pilgrims Crushed to Death

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA, Reuters, Associated Press

A stoning ritual held every year in Mena on the last day of the haj was bathed in blood. Despite strict security measures, at least 100 people were crushed to death by other pilgrims, while the number of injured is still unknown. According to information, the reason was a minor accident that spread chaos on Jamarat bridge, where the ritual was taking place, when some 2 million pilgrims were performing the traditional ritual by throwing stones on certain walls under the bridge after the noon prayer, thus exorcising temptation.

According to Reuters, citing Interior Ministry sources, the stampede occurred when luggage fell off a bus and made some pilgrims stumble and fall. The large number of people and the panic that prevailed, including that when thousands of people were trying to get of the bridge, others were trying to cross it, made things even worse. From one moment to another, thousands of pilgrims performing the ritual started crushing each other reminding of a shapeless mass. Similar tragic incidents have occurred in the past. In 2004, some 250 people were crushed to death on the same bridge, during the stoning ritual, a duty which every able-bodied Muslim has to perform at least once in a lifetime.

Saudi Arabian authorities tried to take more measures by reinforcing and improving Jamarat, while 60,000 policemen were deployed in the area to coordinate and facilitate the circulation of pilgrims. After this year's stampede, the Jamarat bridge will be replaced by another four-storey construction with entrances and exits to three sacred walls, which will also have an underground passage. The entire venture will cost 1.12 billion dollars.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Read the story on other sources:

BBC-Pilgrims killed in Hajj stampede

CNN-Hajj stampede kills dozens

[04] Said Christos Markogiannakis "I Respect Justice"

Sources: NET

In statements made on television and radio, resigned Deputy Minister of Public Order Christos Markogiannakis voiced his respect to Justice, noting that in essence he disagreed with specific handlings of Supreme Court Prosecutor Dimitris Linos. On Thursday noon, Mr Markogiannakis bade farewell to the political leadership of the Ministry, police and Fire Service, while he used cordial words to describe Mr Voulgarakis. On his part, the Minister praised Mr Markogiannakis diligence. Questioned in relation to information, as per which Mr Linos said that Markogiannakis resignation was "a proper solution," Government spokesperson Thodoros Roussopoulos said that he cannot comment on the statement as it is attributed to the Prosecutor, but estimated that it does not correspond to reality.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Comments on Resignation

[05] K. Karamanlis Most Suitable President ND Steady in the Lead

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: NET

New Democracy has a steady lead over PASOK. According to a new VPRC survey conducted for SKAI radio station, the governing party has a 2.5% lead over the Main Opposition. In particular, New Democracy gathers 42% in relation to PASOK, which is preferred by 39.5% of the Greek people, while the Communist Party receives 8^, SYN 3.5% and LAOS 4.5%. What is more, the difference between K. Karamanlis and G. Papandreou, regarding who is the most suitable Prime Minister, grows bigger. Regardless of political preferences, 49% of those who participated in the poll said Kostas Karamanlis is the most suitable PM, while 24% preferred George Papandreou. The respective percentages in December were 46% for Karamanlis and 28% for Papandreou. However, there was a 19% who said none of the two is good enough.

Asked which government can better deal with the problems of the country, 33% said ND is the one, 15% preferred PASOK and 38% replied none of the two parties could do the job.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[06] Snowfalls and Chilly Cold Wintry Scenery

By Vivian Papastefanou

The frost wave that has practically frozen Greece will not subside until Sunday, according to meteorologists. Winter has set in for good, but there have been no serious problems on the national and regional road network. Snowfall in Attica mainly affected the northern suburbs, where temperature is still very low. Frost is expected to cover the northern part of the prefecture and drivers need to be very careful.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[07] Encountered an Engine Problem All is Well for Cypriot Airbus

Sources: NET

All is well for 147 passengers aboard Cypriot Airbus 320, which performed an emergency landing on Thursday at 12:32 at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, when the pilot detected a problem on one of its engines. Immediately after the pilot reported the problem to the Athens Airport the authorities were alerted, however they did not need to intervene, since foam extinguishers were not used. The aircraft was en route from Larnaca to Moscow, while the passengers departed to their destination on another aircraft.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Due to Sanitary Violations Super Market Shut Down in Piraeus

By Despina Hristopoulou

The Piraeus Prefecture proceeded to temporarily shutting down super market BAZAAR, on 105 Zaimis and Serfiotou Street, after relevant services detecting sanitation violations during spot checks. Piraeus Prefect Giannis Michas decided on the temporary shutting down of the super market until its compliance. The decision, which was forwarded to the Piraeus Prefecture and the relevant police station, was taken after yesterdays testimony by the companys representative, by which he fully recognised and accepted the reasons behind the procedure. Two spot checks by the Directorates of Health, Veterinary and Commerce had been made previously on 23/12/2005 and 5/12006 in the super market where a multitude of violations were detected.

Mr Michas noted: "With our decision to shut down the specific super market until its compliance, we are sending a clear message to those persisting to operate against public health."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related Links:

Piraeus Prefecture

[09] By 12.8% in 10 Months Increase of Exports in 2005

Sources: NET

On Thursday, Minister of Economy Giorgos Alogoskoufis presented the Governments aims and priorities on export policies for 2006, moreover proposing the preparation of a national programme for business missions. Mr Alogoskoufis referred to the institutional and organisational initiatives, which have already been planned, giving special attention to the coordination in business missions abroad. Moreover, he said 81 expos and 31 business missions are programmed for the promotion of Greek products abroad. Mr Alogoskoufis also announced that exports were increased by 12.8% the first ten months of the previous year in relation to 2004.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] Expecting Brad Pitt's Child Stork Visits Jolie Pitt

By Vagelis Theodorou

As per the 42-year-old actors spokesperson, Angelina Jolie is expecting Brad Pitts baby, a story also confirmed by US magazine People. Entitled "Yes, Im Pregnant," the magazine cited a statement by the 30-year-old star to a charity organisation employee in the Dominican Republic, where she is filming a movie. The love child of the two actors will be born in the summertime and Angelina will be a biological mother, as she has already adopted two children, 4-year-old Maddox and 11-month-old Zahara. The two actors met on the set of Mr & Mrs Smith in 2004 and rumours over an alleged romance circulated, even if they stated they were just friends. The pregnancy followed Pitt signing papers for the adoption of Jolies two children, which sparked rumours over a marriage. In October and after four years of marriage, the 42-year-old actor divorced Jennifer Aniston, while Jolie was married to Billy Bob Thornton and Johnny Lee Miller.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

People: Angelina Jolie Pregnant

Guardian: Pitt and Jolie: Beautiful Baby?

[11] Church of Greece to Establish Marriage Institute Graduating before Walking down the Aisle

By Athina Saloustrou

The Church of Greece is preparing to establish a Marriage Institute and training programmes for couples about to be married, as announced by the Continuous Holy Synod, which is implementing measures to support marriage and families. The aim of the Marriage Institute is the establishment of a scientific body belonging to the Church of Greece that would study issues relating to marriage and families, as noted by the spokesperson of the Continuous Holy Synod, Metropolitan Bishop Chrysostomos of Patras. At the same time, 80 metropolitan churches of Greece will run training programmes for couples about to be married, during which members of the clergy would inform young couples about the institution of marriage, a sacrament that demands respect. In addition, a plan for establishment of marriage offices in all of the metropolitan churches was also decided. At the same time, the Church of Greece also tried to implement measures to deal with the countrys demographic problem. However, immediate and tangible results were only recorded in Thrace, where the Church pays a monthly allowance to families that have a third child.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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